MIDDLETON - The Pecatonica boys basketball team looked to be in the driver's seat to spring an upset against Barneveld in a WIAA Division 5 sectional semifinal Thursday.
Pecatonica sophomore Colton Schraepfer scored on a layup with 49 seconds to go to give the Vikings a two-point lead at 41-39.
Barneveld's Mike Zouski followed by scoring on a conventional three-point play with about 40 seconds to drive the Golden Eagles to a thrilling 45-44 win over Pecatonica.
"We were playing pretty good defense, and we got overextended on the perimeter," Pecatonica coach Matt Fink said. "Zouski had a back cut and we were late helping, and he made the layup, and we fouled him for the three-point play."
Zouski's three-point play gave Barneveld a 42-41 lead. The Eagles made 1 of 2 free throws in the waning seconds, and Pecatonica senior A.J. Hendrickson hit a halfcourt shot at the buzzer.
Hendrickson, who surpassed the 2,000-point mark in his career earlier this season, scored a game-high 25 points in his final prep game.
"I thought we played hard against a team in Barneveld who beat us twice in the regular season," Fink said. "I thought we played better than Barneveld for long stretches tonight. The unfortunate part about sports is someone has to lose. When you are playing a really good team you have to make the plays in the end."
Zouski scored a team-high 18 points for Barneveld. Sophomore Malcolm Reed added 11 points.
Barneveld (23-3) advances to the sectional championship game where it will play Hilbert on Saturday in Watertown.
Pecatonica seniors Cory Linder and Jake Dearth each chipped in six points.
Pecatonica finished the season with a 20-6 record and a regional title.
"I'm proud of our seniors," Fink said. "They accomplished a lot for this program. I think they are leaving it (program) better than they found it."
Pecatonica sophomore Colton Schraepfer scored on a layup with 49 seconds to go to give the Vikings a two-point lead at 41-39.
Barneveld's Mike Zouski followed by scoring on a conventional three-point play with about 40 seconds to drive the Golden Eagles to a thrilling 45-44 win over Pecatonica.
"We were playing pretty good defense, and we got overextended on the perimeter," Pecatonica coach Matt Fink said. "Zouski had a back cut and we were late helping, and he made the layup, and we fouled him for the three-point play."
Zouski's three-point play gave Barneveld a 42-41 lead. The Eagles made 1 of 2 free throws in the waning seconds, and Pecatonica senior A.J. Hendrickson hit a halfcourt shot at the buzzer.
Hendrickson, who surpassed the 2,000-point mark in his career earlier this season, scored a game-high 25 points in his final prep game.
"I thought we played hard against a team in Barneveld who beat us twice in the regular season," Fink said. "I thought we played better than Barneveld for long stretches tonight. The unfortunate part about sports is someone has to lose. When you are playing a really good team you have to make the plays in the end."
Zouski scored a team-high 18 points for Barneveld. Sophomore Malcolm Reed added 11 points.
Barneveld (23-3) advances to the sectional championship game where it will play Hilbert on Saturday in Watertown.
Pecatonica seniors Cory Linder and Jake Dearth each chipped in six points.
Pecatonica finished the season with a 20-6 record and a regional title.
"I'm proud of our seniors," Fink said. "They accomplished a lot for this program. I think they are leaving it (program) better than they found it."
